Historic Homes - Columbia, SC

Saturday Sep 2 was to be the worst rain that was predicted, so of course we woke up to the sunniest day we have had so far.

We had planned to take the day off because of the weather, but only really took the morning off since the weather was so good. We went for a walk around the grounds and next door to the flea market. (typical junk one finds there) One lady was yelling at everyone that walked by complaining they had enough lookers she wanted people buying. Saying it wasn’t just a walkway and maybe they should start charging people just to walk by. Takes all kinds…..

After lunch we went downtown to see some of the historical houses. There were 2 self-guided walking tours that we had hoped to do at least one of them. Unfortunately, the only way to get the walking map was to go to the Visitor's Center and despite going when they were supposed to be open they were closed for the day for "training". The walks had websites that only directed you to the visitor's center. 

So, we set out to see a few of the main sites. 

We started out going back to the largest Fire Hydrant in the world because there was a beautiful mural that I didn't take a picture of when we were there. It's called Tunnel Vision. It's a deceptively realistic highway tunnel entrance that was painted on the side of a building in 1975.

 Tunnel Vision

 another mural on another building

We headed to Arsenal Hill to see the Governor's Mansion

 We found out that the tours are only M - F and the gardens were closed due to a wedding going on later in the day. So, we got some shots through the fence.

 The Governor's Mansion

 gardens

 The Lace House

 The Lace House

 The Lace House

 The Lace House

gardens

 The Caldwell-Boylston House

 gardens

 dedicated to the veterans of World War ll

 greenhouses on property

 churches across the street

We took a break for some ice cream at the Sweet Cream Company and then went in search of the Woodrow Wilson Family home.

 

The Woodrow Wilson Family Home is the only presidential site in South Carolina. This Italianate-villa-style manse was the boyhood home of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States. Exhibits, vignettes, and backstories tell about "Tommy," as Wilson was then known, and provide an early narrative (circa 1871) to the history of this great American.

 side of home

back of home

 views from Finlay Park on Arsenal Hill 

We walked around the park itself, but other than the view, it was more of a homeless shelter. 

 

The Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens has enjoyed many prior lives. Built in 1818 as a private residence and home to the prominent Hampton family, it went on to serve as a Union Army Headquarters during the Civil War and subsequently the Governor's Mansion. The home is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Antebellum Gardens surrounding the four-acre grounds were designed by former owners and mother-daughter duo of Mary A. Hampton and Caroline H. Preston.

 Hampton-Preston House & gardens

Blue Jay 

 

Robert Mills House and Gardens was built in 1825 in the Classic Revival style as a private residence by Robert Mills, the designer of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Saved from the wrecking-ball in 1961, the home reopened as a historic museum and features an extensive collection of period pieces and decorative arts furnishings, many in the American Federal and French Empire styles. The gardens were a late post-restoration addition in the 60s and are in the classic English style.

 Robert Mills House (set up for a wedding)

We decided to go out for steak for dinner and we were disappointed with the Texas Roadhouse Ribeye. Ah well, can't always be good.....

Tomorrow we are headed out to a State Park.